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Wednesday, 18 March 2015

Jonathan’s police outrider crashes to death in Abuja

One of the best police outriders in President Goodluck Jonathan’s
convoy, Sirajo Alkali, has died in a crash along the Abuja airport road.

The incident happened on Saturday when Mr. Jonathan was returning to
Abuja after a brief visit to Adamawa State, a source told PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. Alkali, a 32 year-old Police Corporal from Edo State, was said to
have been one of the most gifted riders attached to the office of the
president.

A presidency source who asked not to be quoted because he was not
authorised to speak on the matter, said Mr. Alkali and other members of
the presidential convoy had departed the Aso Villa on the fateful day to
receive Mr. Jonathan.

“He was one of the best outriders in the convoy and had a very good knowledge of the power bike,” the source said.

“Corporal Alkali would always bring rhythm and style to the presidential
convoy through his expert manoeuvrings, sharp but careful bending and
calculated movements.

“But that day, he was just at his best when he suddenly ran into one
of the concrete partition used by the company handling construction work
on the Airport Road.”

According to the source, the outrider was initially at the rear of
the presidential convoy but later moved ahead as the motorcade
approached the military checkpoint by the Kuje bridge.

But just as he manoeuvred the sharp bend towards where the eight-lane
approach is partitioned, Mr. Alkali lost control of the revving BMW
power bike and crashed into the concrete partition.

“It was very pathetic and Mr. President called for the convoy to stop
and personally came down to ensure that Alkali was immediately
evacuated to the hospital but he died almost immediately,” the source
said.

The remains of the police officer were moved to the National Hospital, according to the source.
PREMIUM TIMES also learnt that Mr. Jonathan and his wife, Patience,
had invited the wife and close relations of the deceased to the Villa
for a meeting.

The deceased officer was buried on Wednesday in his hometown, Igbanke, Orhinmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was survived by four children.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Federal Capital Territory
Police command, Anjuguri Manzah, an Assistant Superintendent of Police,
confirmed the death of the outrider to PREMIUM TIMES.